The state House Judiciary Committee moved a bill Thursday that would decriminalize the possession of around one ounce -- or 20 grams -- of marijuana and set a civil penalty at $100.

The Senate had set the fine at $1,000 as a sweetener for the House to consider decriminalization, which lawmakers had previously rejected. Senators had said that they hoped the civil fine would be $100, which is the typical penalty issued for similar possession cases under criminal law.

The House Judiciary Committee had deferred a bill earlier this session that would have legalized small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

5 Responses to “Decrim”

OK, I'm confused. The post says the bill "would decriminalize the possession of up to one ounce -- or about 20 grams" but the proposed draft of the bill says up to 20 grams. So why the "up to one ounce" when an ounce is 28.35 grams, not 20 grams??????????????????????? Whatever.

Richard Miller, former professor of law at UH, suggested the bill return to the earlier version and allow "up to one ounce" for exactly the sort of reasons on display here. How many people know what 20 grams looks like, as compared to those familiar with one ounce?